Trapdoor Loading Sequence?

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Probably a silly question. When reloading, should the hammer be set at half cock or full cock? I am assuming half cock because the trigger cannot be tripped from the half cock position. Half cock, open and eject, load new round, full cock, fire?

The only reason I question this is because we used to have a Black Powder match in these parts where we brought along our single shots too. We would often fire ten shots up close against the clock. I noticed a lot of guys were going directly to full cock before opening the action, to save time.

I shot my Sharps at these matches, and I always went to half cock before opening the action. The guys with the Trapdoor carbines who went directly to full cock were much faster than me.

[St. George]

Half-cock - it's safest, and makes the firing sequence 'deliberate'.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

Depends...

Depends on which tumbler you have. If you have the 2 notch tumbler you have no choice other than full cock because with the 2 notch tumbler, when its on the half cock notch you can't open the breech block. If you have a 3 notch tumbler you should load it in the loading notch which is between the half cock notch and the full cock notch. You'll be able to tell the difference because if the hammer is down and you have a 2 notch tumbler when you go to full cock you will hear click-click. If you have a 3 notch tumbler and draw it to full cock from the hammer down position you will hear click-click-click. Given what I can see of yours in the other thread I think it should have a 3 notch tumbler

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[wildman1]

My '84 has 3 notches' the first (I assume) is for a safety as you cannot open the trapdoor with the hammer in that position. I've always used second notch for extracting-loading. WM

[Niederlander]

I've been shooting my '68 Trapdoor Springfield at our cowboy shoots lately.  I generally put it at full cock when I reload, but my hand is never anywhere near the trigger until I'm ready to shoot.  The muzzle is always pointed down when I reload too, so it's not a big deal.  It's fun rifle!

[pony express]

I've been shooting my '68 Trapdoor Springfield at our cowboy shoots lately.  I generally put it at full cock when I reload, but my hand is never anywhere near the trigger until I'm ready to shoot.  The muzzle is always pointed down when I reload too, so it's not a big deal.  It's fun rifle!

That's how I shoot mine at mathes too. I suppose if I was going to load and not fire immediately, I'd use the half cock.

[Niederlander]

That's how I shoot mine at mathes too. I suppose if I was going to load and not fire immediately, I'd use the half cock.

I'd use the half-cock notch, too, if I were using it to hunt with.  During matches, it's really not an issue as far as I'm concerned.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Thanks for the great answers. I must have the three notch tumbler. First click the hammer is only about 1/4" away from the firing pin. Cannot physically open the action because the hammer is in the way. Second click the hammer is about halfway back and the action can be opened. Third click is full cock. Both first click and second click the trigger is locked and cannot be pulled. Yes, I know better than to pull too hard on the trigger, learned that a long time ago on an old Stevens hammer double.

Think I will continue loading on the second click, feels more secure with the trigger disabled. The heck with speed.

By the way, is there correct nomenclature for these hammer positions? I was using the term 'half cock' because the hammer was about halfway back. With a Colt, half cock is the loading position with the hammer about halfway back. I always refer to the first click as 'safety click' even though it is really not very safe. Is there correct nomenclature for these positions?

As always, thanks for the great answers. This is a terrific forum for information for the Trapdoor newbie.

[Pitspitr]

The first click is half cock, the second is the loading notch and the third is full cock.

[Marshal Deadwood]

The first click is half cock, the second is the loading notch and the third is full cock.

Good trapdoor terminology to know. Thanks.

MD

[Doug.38PR]

Great thread.  Thanks for posting Mr. Johnson.  I was actually thinking about this just last night while admiring my Trapdoor.  Noticed I could go to full cock and flip open and close the trapdoor.